Vo-tech prices expected to increase the most for Moniteau School District
CHERRY TWP — Moniteau School District could be asked to pay almost $27,000 more for Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School participation compared with the previous year.
The district’s school board heard the vo-tech’s executive director Regina Hiler present the 2026-27 proposed budget for the vo-tech at Moniteau’s board meeting on Monday, Feb. 23.
Hiler said the school will be asking each district for an increased contribution, but Moniteau’s is anticipated to increase the most, by $26,692, or 10.61%.
“But, you do have a lot more students coming,” Hiler said, “and I’m hoping you find the value as we find the value in your students.”
Board Vice President Michael Panza said the number of Moniteau students attending Vo-Tech in the 2025-26 school year increased by 12 from the previous year. The district’s average daily membership is anticipated to increase.
The total proposed 2026-27 operating budget for the vo-tech is $7,471,155, an increase of 3% from last year’s budget. The school has an additional $100,628 budgeted for reserves.
Multiple factors led to the increase. Hiler said Vo-Tech is budgeting $62,000 for a second school resource officer during the day. She said Monday night also marked five days since the school installed metal detectors at its entrance.
“Your students have been very respectful, by the way,” Hiler said about working with the metal detectors. “They act like it’s no big deal.”
Salaries are also projected to increase for the 2026-27 school year, but total wages budgeted for contract employees are expected to decrease by $6,000 due to employee turnover. Hiler explained new teachers aren’t making as much as teachers who retired with more than 20 years of experience.
While salary costs for contract employees are expected to decrease, the estimate for all salaries in the budget may increase by $65,221. This includes a $49,000 increase for 44 noncontract employees, which includes substitute pay, adult education and some instructor wages.
Auditor Mark Turnley also presented the board’s 2024-25 audit, which showed actual revenue exceeded budgeted revenue by $633,000. Budgeted expenditures also exceeded actual expenditures by $344,000.
“That’s the side of the equation you want to be on,” Turnley said.
The board also budgeted using $1.8 million of the general fund balance from the previous year but only had to take $832,000, which Turnley said created fewer losses than projected.
“This is a good fund balance to have,” Turnley said.
But he added an unfavorable trend is visible where districts must dig into the general fund balance, at least for one year.
The board tabled its vote on policy 122 regarding extracurricular activities.
A motion to approve the renegotiated contract of board secretary Austin Blauser to have a starting salary of $90,000 with annual potential increases of 3% until 2031 was struck down in a 5-4 vote.
Board member Michael Baptiste voted against approving the district’s financial reports and payment of bills, which passed by an 8-1 vote.
The board held an executive session until 7:10 p.m. to discuss personnel and legal topics.
